Switching Beta Blockers

[Jimmyson]

Has anyone switched beta blockers? If so can you switch immediately or do you have to ween off one medication first? Currently on Bisoprolol 1.25mg for hypertension, ectopic beats and anxiety related tachycardia but doctor has recommended switching to propranolol long term. Had horrific side effects trying to come off Bisoprolol in the past, many thanks!

[Suzy1954]

Hi. I weaned off Bisoprolol over a couple of weeks by going from 1.25 mg per day to every other day then started on Atenolol. I have felt much better on those. Good luck.

[Mrsvemb]

I switched from Bisoprolol to Nevibolol and just took the Nevibolol when my next dose was due. I didn’t have to wean off the Bisoprolol because it was replaced. I was on 2.5mg Bisoprolol twice a day.

This was approved by my cardiologist and I had no ill effects, only positives as I started to feel better.

Val

[Padayn01]

Switched from bisraprol to metraprole straight away

[Finvola]

I switched from 1.25mg Bisoprolol to 2.5mg Nebivolol in the next dose without any ill effects - it certainly got rid of Bisoprolol causing me breathlessness.

[Hidden in reply to Finvola]

I too switched Bisoprolol to Nebivolol no problems.

[Slane69]

What issues is everyone having bisoprolol ? I have been on it for a little over a week now and feel awful , chest pain , head ache and a strangle vibration type sensation in my head that at some points affect my vision... almost like a tremor

[Finvola in reply to Slane69]

On 2.5mg I could barely stagger about - breathless and weak. The dose was lowered to half but, whilst it was better, I was breathless and could walk only short distances - definitely not uphill. Housework had to be done in short bites. Bad circulation and painful chilblains on my fingers were awful.

Your side effects sound much more debilitating. They may settle down when you get used to the drug but mine certainly didn’t.

[Wightbaby in reply to Slane69]

So strange Slane69. I had to switch from Metoprolol to Bisoprolol and I get on really well with it! A lot of people seem to have issues. Still get fatigue, but not so bad and insomnia at times (but that could be due to something else!). Its definteley better for me!

[sarniacherie in reply to Slane69]

I daresay Bisoprolol suits some people but it didn't like me very much. I realise that a beta blockers job is to lower the heart rate but mine was so slow that I felt like a zombie. I had a 24 hour tape fitted which showed an average heart rate of 34bpm. He told me to stop Bisoprolol straight away and I have felt so much better since. If you have any concerns and you can link the way you are feeling to starting new medication, get to the GP or cardiologist. Don't apologise for asking questions or making a fuss. It is your heart at the end of the day. Hope you keep safe and well. X.

[sarniacherie]

I think it all depends on who you see. I have had PAF for 30 years now and in that time I have seen so many different GP's and cardiologists who have their own favoured medication and differing ways of doing things. I started on Propranolol all those years ago but after trying several beta blockers over the years my current cardiologist decided I must be allergic (? his word) to beta blockers and took me off my daily 1.5mg Bisoprolol immediately which was lowering my heart rate to 34bpm. I have since read articles which suggest weaning patients off certain tablets but as you are on a low dose you probably just have to stop. However, I am a firm believer on asking questions and go in to my appointment with them written down. My doc considers Propranolol out of date but as I say, the medics seem to have their favourite tablets. Good luck with your future meds and keep safe and well during this crazy time. X

[Mike-tyson]

Sorry can’t help much as still on 2.5mg Bisoprolol twice per day and 100mg Amiodarone per day which has reduced my heart rate after chest infection from 140bpm to 60bpm. BUT side effects of both are giving me sleep disturbance so waking up between 4 and 5am and cannot get back to sleep. So doctor given me 5mg Zolpidem which I

Take when I wake. They only

last around 3 hours with very little side effects. Cardiologist at Stoke thinks I am doing very well using the Heart Rate Free app on my iPhone to control my A/F. So at last phone conversation to save me traveling to Stoke he said he would see me again in 6 months when current problems have settled down. So just got to put up with feeling groggy most days until I can get to Stoke again. I think another Ablation will be the answer as all medications I have tried seem to have bad side effects on me or

do not work. ? Tried atenolol for 6 months but did not control my

A/F.

[jimlad2]

I switched straight from Bisoprolol to Carvedilol when the next dose was due, and later, when it was clear that I was gaining no benefit from the switch I went back to Bisoprolol the same way, when the next dose was due, with no problems at either change.

[ella0080]

weaning my self off of Metoprolol

[ella0080 in reply to ella0080]

weaning my self off of metoprolol